Holder for rebar

ABSTRACT

A member having first and second vertically extending leg portions, and a base member connecting one end of each leg member, a wood frame member for the concrete structure being positioned in the channel formed between the first and second leg portions. First and second cup shaped members having first and second internal diameters, respectively, are formed along the outside surface of the first leg portion, third and fourth of cup shaped members having third and fourth internal diameters respectively, being formed along the outside surface of the second leg portion, the first and third internal diameters being equal and the second and fourth internal diameters being equal. Vertical steel rebars of the same outside diameter are positioned and held in the first and third cup shaped members.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention provides a device for supporting vertical steel rebar of various diameters during the pouring of a concrete structure.

2. Description of the Prior Art

In typical construction projects which require concrete structures, such as foundations, vertical extending steel rebar is necessary to strengthen the structure.

In order to hold the rebar in position during the pouring of the concrete, the prior art typically utilized steel tie wires connecting the rebar to an underlying wood frame member. In essence, the tie wire is coupled to the rebar at one end and the wood frame at the other. After the concrete sets, the wood frame is removed from the adjacent concrete structure. Although the use of tie wires provides a simple technique for positioning the rebar, it requires a person to hold the rebar during the tying operation. In addition, the rebar often does not maintain a proper vertical orientation during the concrete pouring stage. Finally, wire cutters are needed to cut the tie wire in order to remove the wood frame after the concrete sets.

An improved vertical rebar positioning device is a hook and clamp type device that had once been manufactured by Precision Builders, Redding, Calif. The hook portion of this device fits about the rebar, the clamp portion being secured to the wood frame. Although providing advantages over the commonly used tie wires, it has serious disadvantages in that it is costly and difficult to remove the wood frame member after the concrete sets.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,688,428, issued on Nov. 18, 1997 to the applicant, discloses an improved device for positioning vertical steel rebar which is less expensive than those available in the prior art and wherein the installation time required for the vertical steel rebar is reduced, thus reducing labor costs. The device disclosed in the '428 patent has found wide commercial acceptance and has a plurality of different sized holders for holding steel rebar of various external diameters. A device which utilizes a single holder issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,017,014 on Jan. 25, 2000 to the applicant.

Although the holder disclosed in the '428 patent provides significant advantages as noted hereinabove, circumstances may arise when more than a single rebar of the same diameter may be necessary to be used at the same time. The multiple holder disclosed in the '428 patent is limited to using a single rebar of the same diameter at the same time; the device disclosed in the '014 patent, as noted hereinabove, utilizes a single rebar holder.

What is thus desired is to provide an improved steel rebar holder device wherein at least two vertical rebars having the same outside diameter can be held, or supported, at the same time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a member having first and second vertically extending leg portions, and a base member connecting one end of each leg member, a wood frame member for the concrete structure being positioned in the channel formed between the first and second leg portions. First and second cup shaped members have first and second internal diameters, respectively, are formed along the outside surface of said first leg portion, third and fourth of cup shaped members having third and fourth internal diameters respectively, being formed along the outside surface of said second leg portion, said first and third internal diameters being equal and said second and fourth internal diameters being equal. Vertical steel rebars of the same outside diameter are positioned and held in said first and third cup shaped members. Holes are formed in the base member to receive fasteners which are used to secure the member to the underlying wood frame member. Protrusions are provided on the bottom surface of the base member to provide a space between the surface and the adjacent top surface of the wood frame member to enable the device to be removed after the concrete sets.

The present invention thus provides a relatively inexpensive vertical steel rebar holder device which has the capability of supporting at least two rebars of the same diameter at the same time and wherein the device can be easily removed after the concrete is poured and sets.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the present invention as well as other objects and further features thereof, reference is made to the following description which is to be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing therein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the device of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view along line 3-3 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view along line 4-4 of FIG. 3.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to FIGS. 1-4, a vertical steel rebar holding device 10 of the present invention is illustrated. Device 10, preferably made of plastic, comprises a U-shaped member having leg portions 12 and 14 joined by base member 16 and cup shaped members 20 and 22 integral with the outside surface 15 of leg portion 12 and cup shaped members 24 and 26 integral with the outside surface 17 of leg portion 14 as illustrated. The cupped shaped members 20, 22, 24 and 26 are essentially cylindrical in shape and have an extended longitudinal opening, or, slot formed along the entire length thereof as illustrated. The internal diameter of the shaped members are of a predetermined size and selected to correspond to the outside diameter of steel rebar having a specific diameter. In accordance with the teachings of the present invention members 20 and 24 have the same internal diameter and members 22 and 26 have the same internal diameter. In the example illustrated, cup shaped member 20 and 24 have an internal diameter of approximately 0.5 inches and are sized to frictionally engage the vertical steel rebar 30 and hold the rebar in place during the concrete pouring operation. Cup shaped members 22 and 26 in the example illustrated, have a internal diameter of approximately 0.75 inches and are sized to frictionally engage vertical rebar inserted therein. It should be noted that although the rebar is the preferred structural member to be inserted into member 20, an anchor bolt can also be utilized if necessary. The length of device 10, along its longitudinal dimension, is variable, typically in range from about 4 inches to about 6 inches and is selected to enable the steel rebar to be utilized for a particular project. A hole, or aperture, 40 is formed in base member 16 and a fastener, such as a nail, is positioned therethrough to secure device 10 to frame member 32.

It should be noted that although the preferred embodiment illustrates cupped shaped members having different internal diameters formed along the outside surface of the same leg portion, the device can be configured such that the holders have the same internal diameter along the surface of either the first or second leg portion.

In operation, after the wood framing is constructed, device 10 is positioned over the top edge thereof in the manner shown in FIGS. 2-4. Fastener 42 is then inserted through hole 40 into the surface 31 of frame member 32. Steel rebar 30 is then positioned into members 20 and 24 and thereafter the concrete is poured. It should be noted that the height of device 10 is selected, in conjunction with the height of wood frame member 32, so that the level of the concrete is below the bottom surface of the cup shaped members. In essence, the device 10 is not embedded in the concrete after the concrete sets. After the concrete sets, device 10 is removed from frame member 32 by first removing fastener 42 and then using the claw portion of a hammer to remove device 10 and then hitting the side of wooden member 32 so that the wooden member slides free from the adjacent set concrete. Alternatively, device 10 can be hit in the direction facing the open portion of the cup members, thus causing the device to slide off frame member 32.

Triangular shaped see-through apertures 70 are formed in base portion 16 enabling a user to look for a marking formed in the upper surface of wood frame member 32 and accurately position device 10. A pair of protrusions 76 and 78 are formed in the lower surface 80 of base member 16 to provide a space 82 between surface 80 and the adjacent surface of frame member 32.

Device 10 is preferably made of plastic and molded in a manner such that base member 16, leg portions 12 and 14, holder members 20, 22, 24 and 26 and protrusions 76 and 78 are integral.

While the invention has been described with reference to its preferred embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from its essential teachings. 

1. A device for supporting vertical rebar in preparation for pouring concrete into an area framed by a wooden frame member, said device having a vertical axis and being adapted to be positioned on said frame member comprising: a U-shaped member comprising a base member and first and second leg portions vertically extending to said base member to join said first and second portions, a channel area for receiving the wooden frame member being formed between said joined leg portions, said first and second leg portions having exterior surfaces; first and second vertically elongated holding members extending from the exterior surface of said first leg portion and having internal diameters a and b, respectively, said first and second holding members being capable of frictionally engaging and holding vertical rebar of a predetermined outside diameter inserted therein, said first and second elongated members extending and spaced horizontally along said first leg portion; and third and fourth elongated holding members extending from the exterior surface of said second leg portion and having internal diameters c and d respectively, said third and fourth holding members being capable of engaging and holding vertical rebar of a predetermined outside diameter inserted thereon, said third and fourth of elongated members extending and spaced horizontally along said second leg portion, the internal diameter of at least one of said elongated holding members extending from the exterior surface of said first leg portion being selected such that a is equal to c.
 2. The device of claim 1 wherein at least one protrusion extends from a bottom surface of said base member whereby a space is provided between said bottom surface and the top surface of said frame member when said device is positioned thereon.
 3. The device of claim 1 wherein at least one fastener receiving aperture is formed in said base member.
 4. The device of claim 1 wherein at least one aperture is formed in said base member to enable a user to view markings formed on a top surface of said frame member.
 5. The device of claim 1 wherein said holding members are integral with a surface of said first leg portion.
 6. The device of claim 1 wherein said device is fabricated from plastic.
 7. The device of claim 1 wherein said elongated holding members engage a portion of the circumference of said vertical rebar inserted therein.
 8. A device for supporting vertical rebar in preparation for pouring concrete into an area framed by a wooden frame member, said device having a vertical axis and being adapted to be positioned on said frame member comprising: a U-shaped member comprising a base member and first and second leg portions vertically extending to said base member to join said first and second portions, a channel area for receiving the wooden frame member being formed between said joined leg portions, said first and second leg portions having exterior surfaces; first and second vertically elongated holding members extending from the exterior surface of said first leg portion and having internal diameters a and b, respectively, wherein a is equal to b, said first and second holding members being capable of frictionally engaging and holding vertical rebar of a predetermined outside diameter inserted therein, said first and second elongated members extending and spaced horizontally along said first leg portion; and third and fourth elongated holding members extending from the exterior surface of said second leg portion and having internal diameters c and d respectively, wherein c is equal to d, said third and fourth holding members being capable of engaging and holding vertical rebar of a predetermined outside diameter inserted thereon, said third and fourth of elongated members extending and spaced horizontally along said second leg portion. 